Analyst says Bengals should regret taking Joe Burrow over Justin Herbert

The Joe Burrow vs. Justin Herbert debate has taken another odd turn.

Forever linked due to their direct competition in the 2020 draft class before breakout rookie seasons, it feels like one can’t mention Burrow without Herbert’s name popping up either.

And now ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum has weighed in on the debate. During an appearance on “Get Up” he told his colleagues the Bengals should regret drafting Burrow over Herbert:

“Yes, I said it before the draft and I’m still saying it. When you go head-to-head with Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert is bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic. If you would have put Herbert in that LSU offense – Burrow’s numbers were phenomenal, but Herbert’s would have been as good or even better.”

That the Bengals should regret drafting Burrow is ridiculous, of course. Herbert is bigger and has a stronger arm, but the advantages would appear to end there as of this writing. And trying to project whether Herbert would’ve been better in LSU’s offense amounts to guesswork.

Besides on-field talent, another recent Burrow vs. Herbert debate favored the Bengals quarterback due to his leadership and approach.

No matter where one falls on the debate this is (besides silly offseason chatter) a conversation that will need many, many years to settle with any sort of actual authority.

.@RealTannenbaum thinks the Bengals should regret drafting Joe Burrow over Justin Herbert

“If you would have put Herbert in that LSU offense … Herbert’s [production] would have been as good or even better [than Burrow’s].” pic.twitter.com/Ui8kTUsX8Y

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 2, 2021